Oscar: An Inquiry into the Nature of Sanity?

by Peter J. Wilson

This is a highly readable and insightful study of the relationship between the individual and society. The society is that of the island of Providencia, and the individual is Oscar Bryan. Oscar is an extraordinary person, and his life is not to be taken as typical of lives lived in the Caribbean. Yet it is, to paraphrase Oscar himself, only through the study of the extraordinary that we come to some sort of understanding of the ordinary. Through Oscar's life we see magnified some of the basic problems of the relationship between the individual and his society as they are manifested in the the continuing conflict between practical and ideal moralities as revealed in the struggle between "reputation" and "respectability"; the manipulation of language and speech to confuse, deceive and inform; the paradox that requires people to seek privacy from each other if they wish to remain together. Wilson has contrived not only a fascinating portrait of a unique personality, but he also offers valuable speculations on the meaning of madness and the nature of the hidden and elusive bonds that unite, or divide, an individual and his society.

Genres: Anthropology

Paperback

First published January 28, 1975

Reviews

[Richard Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fascinating view of an eccentric man who lives on the Carribean Island of Providencia. Oscar is (was, his name was or is Oscar Bryan) one of those people who are both deeply interesting and passionate and also can be irritating. Wilson, a sociologist, visited the Island and encountered Oscar. Oscar oscillates between being a genius and a troubled man. It is questionable that he is 'mad'. He is different and while he was real be could have been from a novel say by John Fowles of 'The Magus', but he is not harmful. He is a mix of intrusive, elusive and insightful. He is not insane. He is curious and quite different from most of us. When someone dies, a Catholic, the priest who arrives speaks in Spanish which most of the Islanders only partly understand. He fluffs it. Oscar takes over and gives a brilliant oration then contradicts himself. In that moment he is inspired, passionate and compassionate and then suddenly loses hold of that state.
I see some have dismissed this book. They haven't, it seems to me, read it properly, or they have rejected it after a short read. I say this as for me this is a deeply insightful book into human life and the problems of the individual and their rights versus that of the group. I am surprised by the negative reviews, as I have read almost nothing as amazing as this account.
Yes, it is a little disturbing. Oscar lies under peoples' houses--listening to what they say. He knows and doesn't know 'everything'. He is the Island's shaman-idiot-genius but he reveals to Wilson some deep sadnesses that arise from distressing experiences as a man, husband and a father that he has suffered. He has loved, and in some ways lost and this has led to the complex psychologcial 'trick' he plays on himself and others. Perhaps also he has lost some trust. We never really understand Oscar, but who can understand anyone, even themselves?
So like a work of literature this can be seen as a work of philosophy, sociology and anthropology; as well as a look somewhat into the troubled but very unique heart and life of Oscar.
Here is part of the blurb on my older version (Vintage, 1975):

Oscar Bryan calls himself a "man of the eighth variety, a man of keen insight and wide vision." His compatriots on the tiny Caribbean island of Providencia call him mad. He is a tramp, thief, eavesdropper, informer. Yet he is also a vital element in [the] island society.....British anthropologist Peter J. Wilson uses an extensive series of taped interviews with Oscar to study the relationship between the individual and his society, and the ways in which the "mad" reflect the values around them.

Also: "Oscar.....provides a glimpse of a bizarre, colorful society and an even stranger, charming character born of it. .... gives another way of understanding what we call insanity."
(Human Behavior)

Oscar has actually suffered some tragedy in his life, related to his marriage and his children, and this torments him. He is far from mad. When he raves it is sometimes like a strange and beautiful poem. This is a rare book and it is amazing to read.

[Ryan Lincoln · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is an ethnography recommended by an anthropology professor whom I consulted about a suggested reading list of works of anthropology dealing with the caribbean.

I love ethnographies and all things caribbean, but this one just did not grab me. I read about a third of it, and very quickly skimmed the rest.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's about a crazy man on a Caribbean island. The author tries a novel approach to explaining his Oscar's oddness at the end. I won't spoil it.

[Ariane · Rating 4 out of 5]

REview to come...